If you are on social media, you would be knowing about a controversy which broke out last week. A girl achieved high rank in a state's board exam and her picture was posted in newspapers. She had clearly visible heavy facial hair. Some people started sharing her pictures and started making fun of her facial hair. In such cases, the social media controversies start growing "organically" following a "lifecycle" and it is difficult to stop those. After initial trolling of the girl, a second wave came when another set of people started trolling the people who were trolling the girl! Okay; they deserved it, did not they? But after a few days, another bomb exploded when a brand called "Bombae", gave out a print ad asking the girl to start using their safety razor or other hair removal products; so that people could focus on her "All India Rank", instead of facial hair! Fine. But this ad gave rise to a third wave of trolling where everyone started slamming the company for giving out such an ad. They said that the ad disrespected the girl and women in general. So, a "women's only brand", which made products specifically for women, was really disrespecting women?
Men and women both were found trolling the company. Men, in such cases are motivated by "virtue signaling". In today's world, there is high pressure on men to be seen respectful towards women and not doing anything which could remotely sound "anti-women". Hence, their motivation to make use of this opportunity to do strong "virtue signaling" was understood.
But women who spent half day doing "makeup" themselves were seen protecting the rights of a girl to keep "lady moustache". Such women need special kind of praise. If there is so much difference between what they preach and what they practice, are they not misleading young girls? Bombae may or may not have right to take names, but its intention was not wrong. I will explain how.
Bombae is a women's hair removal brand by Bombay Shaving Company. It specializes in "hair removal razor for women" - exactly what the girl needed. Hence it used the opportunity to increase its brand awareness by giving this ad.
Check products from Bambae like this: Amazon
At this time, we don't know if Bombae took permission of the girl to use her name. Maybe they did take her permission! But online mobs are running behind them with daggers in hands. What kind of hypocrites we have become? If you love "lady moustache", please ask your wife/daughter to grow it and see their reaction.
I saw an interview of the same girl and she mentioned that she was used to people making fun of her facial hair and hence she was ignoring all this controversy. I think her mother was interviewed too. While the girl and her family are calm about this, I don't think their acceptance is what is needed in this case. When products are available to remove the facial hair, why not use it?
I guess the girl will start using something eventually. Everyone does! But once she starts, how will people who wanted her to keep all that facial hair and "sue" the company who asked her to shave it, face her? Will they start another, fourth round of trolling, slamming her for falling in the hands of "patriarchal, capitalist propaganda"? Are not the people who wanted her to keep the facial hair in the same league as those who wanted to remove it - just on the opposite side of the fence?
Teenage is a sensitive phase of life when we all witness changes in our body. Eventually everyone understands what is what, and deals with things in a manner best suited. When boys start getting facial hair, they keep it for some time too, scared of shaving. Eventually, one fine day, they start shaving. What is big deal, if the girl does that too? Are not companies like Bombae who are making products specifically for women based on their specialized needs, actually empowering women? I think they do. Then why do such companies deserve our hate and suing?
- Rahul
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